My ‘hut’ in Roatan has an alarm system which is erratic to say the least. Following instructions that I should always activate said alarm when I was out, I did so on leaving to eat last night. On returning, I pressed the deactivate button but nothing happened. So I presumed that, maybe, I had forgotten to set the alarm on leaving earlier. Mistake! As soon as I opened the door, a deafening noise erupted and, some 10 minutes later, 2 heavily armed security guards arrived by which time the alarm was silent. After assuring these 2 fierce looking gentlemen that all was well I went to bed. On waking this morning, as soon as I walked out of my bedroom the alarm started again and shrieked for about ten minutes when two more macho looking security guys arrived waving guns. They seemed a little unconvinced about what had happened.
Roatan airport is, as you might expect on a small island, not on the grand scale. The business of leaving the country is, however, taken very seriously. Countless forms to be filled in and photos taken plus fingerprinting! Four fingers of one hand. Then four fingers of the other. Then, separately, 2 thumbs. What happens to all this collected information is unclear although I suspect it isn’t much. Not surprisingly, even such a tiny airport as this is a major employer in Roatan!
Anyway, off we flew to the mainland once again in a sweet little plane
but before we departed I had to change seats to help balance the plane. I can’t understand why!
A lasting memory of Roatan (apart from the weather)? Well, I’m thinking of suing Boots the Chemist. Their anti mozzie spray which works so well in Spain doesn’t seem to be so effective outside Europe! Despite ladling the stuff on, my Roatan leaving present is 17 very itchy mosquito bites!
So, now I’m in Panama City; another destination on my bucket list. And, wow! What a difference from the laid back, slow and peaceful pace of Roatan.
All I know so far is that it was founded way back in 1519 although the original place was burnt down by a naughty Welsh pirate, Henry Morgan. I have also seen not only in the airport but also on the way from it that the place is full of designer brand shops so it could be expensive here. We shall see!
Until the hat fits
Richard
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